1 Rory McIlroy
Key point with Rory, his strengths are so contingent on the courses and conditions he’s playing. On certain courses McIlroy is unbeatable and on other courses like Royal County Down you’re not so sure. The USPGA at Whistling Straits will suit him. He’s the best driver in the game. Pretty much the best ball striker around. Putting is streaky. Always has been. Probably always will be.
But when he’s on, he’s v special. Rory number 1
2 Jordan Spieth
You kind of have to say Jordan Spieth at No 2 now. I wouldn't have quite said No 2 before this weekend but you have to say 2 now.
To quote Colin Byrne, “he’s the most phenomenal putter I’ve seen”. And Colin has seen the very best putt.
He’s also so ballsy. Not the longest hitter. But he belongs in pressure situations. Loves them. Some guys are afraid of winning. Jordan Spieth, like Jack Nicklaus, just hangs around a leaderboard, he won’t go away. Possibly more consistent than Rory. Will have fewer bad days. A scary talent with 2 majors aged 22.
3 Dustin Johnson
Dustin Johnson is still No 3. The guy is a machine. He might need to work on some things under pressure, but he's definitely No 3. Putting not good enough. But can hit the ball so far. Such an advantage. A beast. Worries over temperament.
Jason Day (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
4 Jason Day
Jason Day (second at three Majors since 2011) is maybe No 4. Maybe. The fact that he hasn’t got over the line is a worry. But a super talent. Unbelievable ball striker. On the verge of a major.
5 Too close to call
It's tough then (after Day). There's Rickie Fowler but he had a terrible tournament, there's Henrik Stenson who can be very good, Bubba Watson oozes talent, Adam Scott with Steve Williams on the bag is a threat for the summer. Martin Kaymer has 2 majors to his name. The point here is that after Rory, Speith & Dustin, it's unbelievably dense.
Golf has never been tougher. It is tougher than [Tiger] Woods' heyday - way tougher. Woods' 14 majors are possibly more impressive than Jack’s 18. I think a lot of people would accept that. Even now in comparison to when Woods came on the scene in 1997, it's denser again. Any of these guys can win and they're all unbelievable. There's 100 guys and there's millimetres between them.
Listen into Joe's review of the US Open via the end of this week's podcast:
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